The Jargoon Pard

by Andre Norton

Paperback, 1980

Status

Available

Call number

Fic SF Norton

Collections

Publication

Fawcett (1980), Mass Market Paperback

Description

A young heir is drawn into a labyrinth of deception, death, and magical destiny in this bold adventure in the bestselling Witch World series.   Kethan is heir to the throne of Car Do Prawn in the realm of Arvon--but there is little he has to be proud of. He can sense trouble brewing amongst the people. And he can feel the weight of those who wish to bend his will to their own. From his overbearing mother, the Lady Heroise, and her duplicitous Wise Woman, Ursilla, to his vindictive cousin, Maughus, they all want to rule through him when he comes of age.   But his attention is turned from such palace intrigues when a strange traveler gifts him a belt of leopard skin embossed with a stone--a jargoon--carved in the shape of a predatory snow cat.   At first, the belt intrigues Kethan. Then it entrances him, for it possesses great magical powers--and it is up to Kethan to learn how to control them. He will need to tread a crooked path between good and evil if he is to retain his soul even as his body transforms into a form more lethal than anything he's ever dreamed. The Jargoon Pard is the 1st book in the Witch World: High Hallack Cycle, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
A sequel to Year of the Unicorn using the next generation, but it's not essential to have read the prequel to enjoy this one.

Kethan was chosen to lead the family of Car do Prawn in Arvon, his cousin Maughus was jealous and hated him and his mother's evil Wise Woman, Ursilla, had plans for his
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future that started at his birth. When Kethan gets a gift of a belt his destiny changes, but where his life is going to go is unknown.

A classic Witch World novel with some romance involved.
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LibraryThing member dragonasbreath
Pure fun. You'll get caught in Kethan's head as he learns the secrets of his birth and destiny.
LibraryThing member juniperSun
A nicely developed book, with main character who learns to develop his own gifts and internal strengths. It's been a long time since I read anything from Norton, and this reminds me why she was one of my favorite authors when I first found sci fi. She shows a world where earth knowledge/green magic
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are positive forces for saving a society grown too power-hungry & self-centered.
I like the lengthy chapter titles, reminiscent of Eddison (& other early authors).
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LibraryThing member SeriousGrace
The Jargoon Pard is the companion piece to Crystal Gryphon
and the prequel to The Year of the Unicorn.
A science fiction story with a fantasy twist. Kethan is the chosen one. From the moment of his birth he was destined to lead his family. With the help of a magic belt, his fate is solidified,
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despite the jealousies of an evil woman, his mother's Wise Woman.
Full confession: I didn't really get into The Jargoon Pard.
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Language

Original publication date

1974

Physical description

6.9 inches

ISBN

0449236153 / 9780449236154

Local notes

Witch World: High Hallack, 4

DDC/MDS

Fic SF Norton

Rating

½ (74 ratings; 3.7)
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